New Orleans overcomes 17point deficit, wins in OT
NEW ORLEANS — Wil Lutz kicked a 36yard field goal with 5: 08 left in overtime and New Orleans’ defense stopped Chargers receiver Mike Williams just short on fourth down to preserve a 3027 victory over seemingly starcrossed Los Angeles on Monday night.
The Chargers’ Michael Badgley, who missed his first career pointafter kick wide right in the first quarter, had a chance to redeem himself after Williams’ leaping catch between two defenders put the Chargers on the Saints’ 32yard line in the final seconds of regulation. But Badgley’s 50yard kick as time expired bounced off the right upright.
Rookie Justin Herbert’s fourth touchdown pass of the game, a 64yarder to Williams, briefly put Los Angeles in front before the Saints ( 32) tied it on Taysom Hill’s 9yard run with 52 seconds left in regulation.
The Chargers ( 14) fell to their fourth straight loss by a touchdown or less, and the second in overtime. They also blew a 17point lead for a second straight game.
Herbert, who last week was named the starter for the remainder of the season, finished 20for34 for 264 yards without a turnover. Five of his completions went to Williams for 109 yards and two TDs.
Drew Brees finished 33for47 for 325 yards. Alvin Kamara had 119 yards from scrimmage, highlighted by his leaping, juggling catch along the right sideline over the head of safety Rayshawn Jenkins to set up Hill’s tying TD.
The Chargers became the first team to lose 17point leads in consecutive weeks since the 2003 Atlanta Falcons. For the Chargers, both have come on the road against an NFC South team led by a quarterback older than 40.
In Week 4, it was Tampa Bay’s Tom Brady. On Monday, it was Brees — the NFL’s alltime leader in completions, yards and touchdowns.
In staking Los Angeles to an early 203 lead, Herbert became the first rookie to pass for three TDs in the first half of a Monday night game.